Author Topic: "Best" grouping for a .223 - 300m? (Read 2162 times)

sebastian · « **on:** April 30, 2003, 03:35:51 AM »

Hello!
I've got my new Rem700VSSF yesterday. It is a .223, 26" fluted barrel and 1:12 twist.
I will use it for target shooting (300meters). Not yet have the best load....
My concern is to get under 2" grouping - 10 shots (given time = 180seconds, no "trying" or "fouling" shots).
Say if i can do my part okay, and there are good conditions (wind, mirrage, bench, scope, etc...), will my Rem shoot that grouping???...

FYI, i'm not too familiar with .223, except for my .308 ( i can shoot it 0.8..."-5shots-300m, once - using Steyr SSG-P2, 168gr MEN sniper match ammo...so far that's my best group).

Highly appreciate for the help.
Sebastian.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2003, 08:13:19 AM »

I have a friend who had a real accurate load for 300 yds. I'll e-mail him & get the load.
Here it is:
69gr. Sierra Match King BTHP on top of 23gr.of IMR4895 in .223 at 300yds
55gr bullet at 1-200 yd. same powder charge
90 gr Seirra MK BTHP - same powder charge for 600 yd.

sebastian · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2003, 06:42:50 PM »

Thanks josegrande!
But my barrel is a 1:12 twist. Do you think your data (still) Okay for the barrel???
In advance,
Sebastian.

detritus · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2003, 07:49:43 PM »

my understanding is that with a 1 in 12 twist, you;re basicly limited to 55gr or less! and based on this, if Remington is putting 1 in 12s on a heavy barreled gun then they are REALLY doing a number on target shooters!! though if they are figuring the gun to be a "Varmint rifle" then they may be assuming that the average shooter is USING 55gr or smaller bullets.

i'd say shoot lighter weight pills while saving for a high quality 1in9 or 1in7 barrel.....

but that 1in12 MAY give you fits if you're after the longer range accuracy you state.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2003, 09:10:37 AM »

That is something to think about.
There is a 60gr. Sierra #1375 HP you could try.
I would get a few 69gr. from a buddy to load & try along side the 60gr.
The 55gr. are not very good for target shooting at 300yd.
Sierra recommends a 1 in 7-10 for 69 & larger gr. bullets.

I was reading fast & missed the 1-12 first time around. A 1in 7 would serve you much better.
The thing is,300 yd. is the magic number;a Boat Tail bullet really does better at 300+yds.The flatbase is not nearly as good.It's ballistic co-efficent is much lower.
I just got off the phone with my reloading buddy & he says you are limited to the 55 or smaller bullet. You will need to rebarrel to 1in7 or 9 to do what you want in the most accurate fashion.

Greg Zeilinger · « **Reply #5 on:** July 08, 2004, 08:34:40 PM »

@Sebastian
I've to agree with Jose on rebarreling your rifle,if you are interested in consistency at 300yds.Just recently i loaded for a 223 Browning Stalker and even though it had that flimsy barrel it shot quite consistently 1.5"-1.8" groups at 350yds with 55gr A-Max.Still a 1-7" or 1-9" twist is the way to go.
Great to hear you own a Steyr PII.I used them for 10years in the Military. My brother got one now and it amazes me how great it shoots all the way out to 900yds.I must say those Austrians know how to make sniping-rifles.

Green3845 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2004, 02:55:42 AM »

Sebastian-

With that 1/12, you are going to be limited on bullet weight in .223. You might try Sierra's 60 HP for 300 meter shoting, it MIGHT stabilize in your 1/12 barrel. You probably are going to be limited to the 52 and 53 match bullets, try Sierra Match Kings. Your barrel will not stabilize the 69 Sierra Match King.

1/9 twist barrels are generally good for up to 75 or 77 gr .223 bullets.(Sierra, Hornady, JLK, Berger)

1/8 twists generally will handle up to 80 gr. .223.(Sierra, Hornady, JLK, Berger).

1/6.5 twist is required for 90 gr. .223.(JLK).

The determining factor in whether a given twist will stabilize a bullet is the length, not the weight. Of course, generally, the heavier a .223 bullet is, the longer it is.